Linfield, Cliftonville opt out of 2014 Setanta Sports Cup

Linfield and Cliftonville have opted out of the 2014 Setanta Sports Cup, but the cross-border tournament will continue with Ballinamallard United and Coleraine replacing them. They join St. Patrick’s Athletic, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers from the Airtricity League of Ireland and Crusaders and Glentoran from the Irish League in the draw . . .

RYAN Brennan and David O’Connor have moved to Shamrock Rovers from Drogheda United and UCD respectively while James Chambers has left the Hoops for a return to St. Patrick’s Athletic . . .

DUNDALK has signed striker David McMillan from Sligo and winger Daryl Horgan from Cork City as manager Stephen Kenny looks to make a title push next season . . .

JOHN Russell and Richard Brush have returned to Sligo Rovers from St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers respectively ahead of the new season . . .

EVERTON is the favorite to sign Irish winger Aiden McGeady from Spartak Moscow when the transfer window opens in January . . .

VETERAN striker Philly Hughes has moved to Drogheda from St. Patrick’s Athletic for the coming season . . .

RORY Gaffney has agreed a new contact with Limerick ahead of the 2014 Airtricity League season . . .